A teacher who was jailed after sexually abusing a teenage boy while in a position of trust has been indefinitely struck off the teaching register.
Stephen Elliott, 54, then of Bishop Auckland, was given a 13-month prison sentence in October 2020 after he admitted to two counts of sexual activity with a boy in breach of a position of trust.
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He had previously denied the offences but changed his plea just a week before his trial was due to take place at Durham Crown Court.
Now, Elliott has been banned from teaching following a professional conduct meeting on January 14.
The panel heard that Elliott, who was the Director of Learning of Drama at a County Durham school, admitted the two aforementioned charges as well as a further charge of failing to surrender to custody at the appointed time on August 17 2020.
Elliott, who had worked at the school since 1996, was suspended by the school on July 10 17 after the matters given rise to the case were brought to the attention of the school. Elliott then resigned on November 3 2017.
The decision document from the panel states: "Mr Elliott initially denied the allegations but did admit to hugging and kissing with a male and claimed that this was consensual.
"Mr Elliott admitted the male attended his house and took part in drinking games, including naked card games with Mr Elliott, staying over at Mr Elliott’s house, and sharing a bed."
The panel also heard that as well as his prison sentence, the court also imposed a sexual harm order and entered Elliott onto the sexual offenders register, both for a period of 10 years.
The panel considered whether the facts of the proved allegations amounted to "unacceptable professional conduct, and conduct that may bring the profession into disrepute."
The panel found Elliott's conduct breached a number of standards, including upholding public trust in the profession.
It was determined that Elliott's actions would affect public confidence on the profession.
The panel did not receive any evidence of mitigating circumstances from Mr Elliott, nor any testimonials of his character prior to the incident or following his convictions.
The document read: "The panel did not receive any evidence that Mr Elliott had shown any remorse or insight into his actions.
”In the absence of any evidence provided by the teacher to the contrary the panel found that Mr Elliott did not show any remorse."
Concluding, the panel found that Elliott's conduct fell "significantly short of the standards expected of the profession" and added: "The findings of misconduct are particularly serious as they include a conviction of two offences of sexual activity with a boy whilst in a position of trust."
The panel handed Elliott a prohibition order with no provision for a review.
Concluding, it read: "This means that Mr Stephen Elliott is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England.
"Furthermore, in view of the seriousness of the allegations found proved against him, I have decided that Mr Elliott shall not be entitled to apply for restoration of his eligibility to teach."
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